Matrade’s chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Wong Lai Sum said Malaysian consumer goods manufacturers should take heed of Poland as the second most attractive retail market after Germany in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

She said this in the CEO column of ‘Trademark’, Matrade’s bi-monthly publication for Malaysian exporters in the November and December edition.

Poland’s total imports from Malaysia touched 244.20 million euros in 2010, up from 190.20 million Euros in 2009.

Malaysia-Poland total trade amounted to 400.76 million euros in 2010, compared with 327.17 million euros in 2009.

Poland’s major exports to Malaysia had been vehicles, tools, machinery and electrical machinery products while Malaysia’s major exports to Poland included machinery, electrical machinery, rubber, palm oil, iron and steel products.

In a two-page spread in the Trademark, Matrade’s trade office in the Polish capital, Warsaw, said as the Polish market was competitive, launching a new product requires strong advertising and marketing campaigns.

“Polish representatives from foreign companies usually expect their foreign partners to participate in the costs of such promotional activities.

“One recommended way is to explore the market by means of participating in a major trade fair related to a particular economic sector,” the trade agency office said.

It said Malaysian companies could check with Matrade Warsaw on which trade fair would most suit their businesses and seek assistance in arranging for meetings with local companies.

“Malaysian contractors interested in bidding for major projects, especially those related to infrastructure development, need to be aware that all tenders in Poland are subject to the Polish public procurement rules.

“These rules are very complex and the bidders need to satisfy many formal requirements such as submission of certain certificates along with tender bids,” Matrade Warsaw added. — Bernama